The other day, a few friends and I found ourselves in a lively text conversation. We live hundreds of miles apart now, but technology has a way of making old friendships feel close.
I posed a simple question:
If you could only keep one for the rest of your life—music or sports—which would you choose?
No more listening to music if you choose sports. No more watching or following sports if you choose music.
It sounds like a silly hypothetical until you actually have to answer it.
For many of us, sports have been woven into the fabric of our lives. I grew up watching ABC’s Wide World of Sports. The intro is engrained in my memory. We remember certain games and championships, heartbreaks and heroes. We may even have established traditions. All we have to do is look back at the recent World Cup to know that sports bring people together. Sports give us stories to tell and memories to share.
But music…
Music does something different.
A song can transport us back to childhood. A hymn can steady our hearts when everything else feels uncertain. A melody can express joy, grief, hope, or longing when words seem inadequate. Music fills weddings and funerals, road trips and quiet mornings, celebrations and prayerful moments. Music helps us remember who we were, where we were, and what we were doing. Music can connect two people in a way nothing else can, including sports.
For followers of Jesus, music carries an even deeper significance. Long before most believers owned a Bible, they learned theology by singing it. The Psalms were Israel’s hymnbook. Paul encouraged the church to sing “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” as a way of teaching and encouraging one another (Colossians 3:16).
Faith has always had a soundtrack.
When I considered the question, my answer surprised me less than I expected.
I’d choose music.
Not because I don’t love sports. I do. I enjoy the competition, the drama, the teamwork, and the stories as much as the next person. However, music has accompanied every season of my life. I grew up playing piano and wanting to be a musician. I worked in radio for a while because of my love of music. I know music like some guys know stats.
Music deepens my worship, encourages me in uncertainty, comforts me in grief, and reminds me of God’s faithfulness
Sports entertains. Music transforms.
Perhaps the better question isn’t whether you’d choose music or sports.
Maybe it’s this:
What is shaping your heart?
We’re all listening to something. The voices we allow into our lives, whether through music, media, or the culture around us, are forming our loves, our hopes, and our perspective.
I encourage you to choose wisely.
If you’re a follower of Christ, make sure the soundtrack of your life regularly reminds you of the One who is worthy of all praise.
What about you?
If you could only keep one for the rest of your life—music or sports—which would you choose? I’d love to hear your answer and why. Drop your response in the comments.
Until my next post…
Be salty, stay lit.
Rainer Bantau —The Devotional Guy™
© 2026 Rainer Bantau | The Devotional Guy™ | All Rights Reserved
The Devotional Guy™ 
Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts!
LikeLike
Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts.
LikeLike
Interesting. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts.
LikeLike
Thank you 🙏
LikeLike
Awesomeness. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It would have to be music because I wake up to music, clean to music, travel to music and couldn’t live without my R&B, Hiphop, Garage and Soul music 🎵
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Music without a doubt there the heart of movies and shows
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you. Thanks for reading and commenting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Sports entertains. Music transforms.”
I grew up playing sports, but you nailed it on the head with that line. Well done.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I really love this article, since I am a musician, every chord or beat takes me back to my old days and relationship with people..Music helps people to move on in life . It gives us the feeling of nostalgia. Example my old school anthem if i listen to my school song it takes me back to all the old memories i spend in my school .Even during bad times devotional songs healed me from that situation, so yes I feel music can change people life, it can also take back to our old memories🎵🎧🎶🎼🎹
This article actually motivates me to learn more about music 🎶
LikeLiked by 2 people
I really liked this article. It begins with an interesting question that made me have a very thoughtful reflection. The phrase “Sports entertain. Music transforms” exactly sums up the main point of the piece and has completely changed the way I see the issue. I enjoyed the way the author linked our affection for music and our craze for sports . The final challenge made me think about which option I should choose. After a lot of thought, I choose sports. It’s a highly engaging, encouraging, and deeply thoughtful piece to read.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Rainer
I really enjoyed reading this because it shows how music can be much more than
just entertainment. I agree that music has a special way of connecting with our emotions, memories, and faith. A single song can remind us of a person, a place, or an important moment in our lives. I also liked the connection to Christianity and how music has always been an important part of worship and encouragement. The line “Sports entertains. Music transforms” stood out to me because it explains the difference so simply.
If I had to choose, I would definitely choose music because it stays with us through every season of life.
Thank you for posting this.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you Melrian for reading and sharing your thoughtful comment. I’m happy my post resonated with you.
LikeLike
Hi Rainer Bantau,
The thing that stood out most for me is when you said “Sports entertain. Music transfigures.” I think that is right; sports provide us with common experiences, but music helps form who we are. The idea of how faith has “always had a soundtrack” really resonated as well because in the days before the Bible was available to everyone, it was sung into people’s lives. This is a reminder that the music we listen to is not simply entertainment but becomes a part of us, forming our loves and worldview. Thank you for posting this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I say both. I played Last Xmas even if it is no christmas.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Ash!
LikeLiked by 2 people
A great read! I would definitely pick music. Like you said, it carries so much weight – just hearing a few notes from a song can bring you back to particular memory
LikeLiked by 2 people
Amazing
LikeLiked by 2 people
A pleasure
LikeLike
Thanks Dawn!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hands down—music!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Can we share more articles through email and get to know ourselves better?
LikeLike
Interesting perspective, Arnold. Thanks for sharing. Listening well is definitely a discipline that takes intent and practice. Thanks for reading and commenting.
LikeLike
To me, both are overrated. I’m a people watcher and listener. Watching people in the act of daily life- on the street or bus, at the park, in the cafe- is high entertainment. Listening, however, is another matter. Listening to someone with the intent to hear them out is a discipline that takes a lifetime of practice.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Your welcome! It was very fun to read:)
I have a debate too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing 🙏
LikeLike
I would have to choose music. While I love sports, I have never been that good at it, and I honestly don’t know how I would survive without music. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙏
LikeLike
You are welcome dear!!
LikeLike
Very interesting. I would definitely choose to keep sports I can’t live without it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Olivio.
LikeLike
Music 🎶
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes true that…. 👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gotta say Music! hands down
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Muzeek.
LikeLike
Music. You can play the piano at 90 and it regulates emotions. What is a movie without it’s background music? Every day must have music!
LikeLiked by 3 people
I would also choose music, with a reminder that dancers are the strongest athletes and marching band competitions can get pretty competitive!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, KhanG! I’m thankful you read my post and took time to comment. I’m glad my words resonated with you. Blessings 🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing your perspective on this topic. Your comment is insightful and helpful in understanding the flip side of the coin.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Julius. I appreciate your comment.
LikeLike
Thanks for this, Lelia. I appreciate your comment and that you took time to read and engage with my post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing these excellent insights, Chuckster. You almost lost me at 1/2 time shows, but I get (and concur) with your overall premise 😂!
You’re spot on. Music is woven into virtually every aspect of our lives, including sports.
Thanks so much for reading my post and taking time to comment. Excellent!
LikeLike
I would have to choose the music; it’s everything- it’s what connects us all before we even realize there is a connection sometimes. It’s healing; It’s like you said we have to choose it wisely.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Such a meaningful perspective. I’d choose music too—it has a unique way of connecting us to memories, emotions, and faith. I especially love the thought that what we listen to shapes our hearts. Beautifully said, and a wonderful reminder to choose our “soundtrack” wisely. 🎶❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Music for sure
LikeLiked by 1 person
Can you imagine how boring the Super Bowl would be without the 1/2 time show, with no music in the commercials??? I’m thinking also how hard it would be to sell light beer with no recycled 80’s rock to backup the bikinis and smiles.
Come to think of it, isn’t the quarterback’s hiking staccato cadence attributed musically to tribal war chants?
“SET…
HUT-HUT!”
WHOOO-AHHH!
HUT!
SHA-KA-LAKA—BLUE 42!
OMAHA!”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for reading and for subscribing to my blog, Brittany!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Agreed!!
LikeLiked by 4 people